Towing company sues over undercover cars

The owner and two employees of a Salem towing company are suing three law enforcement agencies for $5 million, accusing them of wrongfully arresting workers who refused to release undercover police cars that were registered under fictitious names.

The complaint was filed Sept. 19 in federal court by the men from Bales and Brady Towing West. It names the Salem and Keizer police departments, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and six officers.

The Statesman Journal reports three cars were towed in January 2012 from a private parking lot. The tow company refused to release them to police because they could not provide proof of ownership. Police arrested two employees, took the keys and removed the cars.